Animal pests and diseases

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​​​Australia is free of the world's worst animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza H5N1. Animal pests and diseases are a major threat to Australia's livestock and poultry industries and an outbreak could impact on our access to export markets and undermine livelihoods. There is an ongoing need to practice good
biosecurity and report the first signs of disease.

Biosecurity means protecting the economy, environment, and the community from the negative impacts of pests, disease, weeds, and contaminants.

Report suspected diseases

If you spot anything unusual in livestock or birds report the suspect disease by phoning the
Exotic Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888. This hotline number will put you in touch with your local department of primary industries or agriculture.

Outbreak

This website also provides information on how to prevent and prepare for an outbreak and what to do in the event of an outbreak.

Pests and Diseases of Animals

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African swine fever (ASF)

ASF is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs. It is clinically similar to classical swine fever but it is caused by a different virus.

ASF is spread within domestic pig populations primarily through contact with infected pigs, movement of people or objects that have been in contact with infected pigs and feeding of contaminated swill. The virus can survive for long periods in uncooked, frozen or cured pig-meat products. It persists in contaminated pig pens for at least 30 days and is readily carried on equipment, shoes, clothing or vehicles. No effective treatment or vaccine is available for ASF.

The disease was first documented in sub-Saharan Africa in 1921 where it continues to be endemic. In 2007 ASF was reported in Georgia and it then spread into Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. In 2014 ASF first entered the EU in Lithuania and has since been detected in 11 member states extending as far west as Belgium. In August 2018, ASF was reported in China. It has since spread in order of occurrence to Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, North Korea, Laos and Myanmar.

An outbreak of ASF in Australia would have significant impacts on pig production, pig health and pig-meat export.

Anthrax

Anthrax is an acute disease caused by infection with the spore-forming bacterium called
Bacillus anthracis. It can affect a wide variety of domestic and wild animals. The disease usually occurs very suddenly in cattle and sheep. Affected animals are found dead often with no previous signs of illness. Humans are also susceptible to anthrax, although human cases are very rare in Australia. The risk of human infection occurs when examining, skinning or cutting up an infected carcass. The NSW Department of Primary Industries provides an
online fact sheet with images of affected animals and other information about anthrax in livestock.

Australian bat lyssavirus

Australian bat lyssavirus is a virus of the family
Rhaboviridae that is closely related, but different, to classical rabies virus.

All lyssaviruses cause invariably fatal encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) in mammals. The natural history of ABLV is similar to rabies.

The virus is shed in the saliva, and it is presumed that ABLV is usually transmitted by bats through bites or contamination of a fresh wound, scratch, or mucous membranes with infected saliva.

For more information visit the
Australian bat lyssavirus page on the Queensland DAFF website or consult the nationally agreed response plan AUSVETPLAN Disease Strategy–Australian Bat Lyssavirus.

Avian Influenza (or Bird Flu)

Bird flu is a highly infectious disease of birds and some strains may affect humans. All bird species are thought to be susceptible to bird flu and the disease can affect more than 140 bird species. Many wild birds and waterfowl (especially geese, ducks and swans) carry the virus but generally don’t show signs of the disease. However, they can infect other birds and poultry they come into contact with. For more information visit the department’s website pages on
avian influenza and bird
biosecurity or consult the nationally agreed response plan AUSVETPLAN Disease Strategy—Avian influenza. More information about the disease is also available on the
Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy section of this website, as avian influenza is a
target disease under this strategy.

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a progressive, fatal disease that affects the nervous system of cattle. BSE is one of a number of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in animals are a class of rare brain diseases that are associated with the accumulation of abnormal prion protein in the brain which affects the central nervous system. These diseases are very rare, fatal and are characterized by spongy degeneration of the brain. There are no validated live animal tests, no treatments and no vaccines for these diseases. There are a number of TSEs which affect people and animals.

Classical swine fever (CSF)

CSF, also known as hog cholera or swine fever, is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs. It is clinically similar to African swine fever, but is caused by a different virus.

There have been several outbreaks in Australia that have been eradicated in the past. The last was in 1961. While infected pigs spread the disease the virus can also survive for a long time in frozen pig carcasses and cured and salted pork. It can remain infectious in contaminated pig pens for up to two weeks and can be carried on clothing, shoes or vehicles.

A CSF outbreak would have serious consequences for Australia’s domestic and export production of pigmeat. For more information about CSF consult the AUSVETPLAN Disease Strategy—CSF.

Enzootic bovine leucosis (EBL)

EBL is a disease of adult cattle due to infection with the bovine leucosis virus. Cattle may be infected at any age. Most infections do not show clinical signs. Some cattle over three years old develop persistent lymphocytosis and a smaller proportion develop lymphosarcomas (tumours) in various internal organs leading to premature death. More information about EBL can be found on the
World Organisation for Animal Health website.

A scheme to eradicate EBL from the Australian dairy herd began in the mid 1990s and, based on herd testing results, freedom was achieved in the dairy industry on 31 December 2012. Following this achievement a standard (serving as the basis for the dairy industry to maintain freedom from the disease) was drafted (see the word document below). The 2012
Standard Definitions and Rules for Control and Eradication of Enzootic Bovine Leucosis incorporates key elements of the OIE requirements for EBL eradication.

Equine influenza

Equine influenza (EI) is an acute, highly contagious, viral disease which can cause rapidly spreading outbreaks of respiratory disease in horses, donkeys, mules and other equine species. EI would have a major impact on the Australian horse industry if it were to become established here. For further information about signs of disease in horses see the
NSW Department of Primary Industries website.

An
independent inquiry into the outbreak of equine influenza in Australia was completed in 2008. That report and the government response is available on the department’s website.

Despite EI having been eradicated from the Australian horse population, horse owners and handlers are strongly encouraged to maintain
good biosecurity.

Foot-and-mouth disease

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious animal disease that would have severe consequences were it to be introduced into Australia. For this reason, Australia has in place detailed
response plans and arrangements, while government and industry preparedness is under continuous
review.

Improvements to the national capability are constantly being implemented and exercises are held regularly to test plans and train those who would be involved.
Research and reviews of new technology relating to FMD control are also undertaken. More information about
FMD is also available on the
Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy section of this website, as FMD is a
target disease under this strategy. An AUSVETPLAN Disease Strategy manal for FMD is available on the AHA website.

Hendra virus

Hendra virus is a zoonotic disease, which means it can transfer from animals to people. Hendra virus can cause disease in horses but only rarely in humans. It can be transmitted from flying fox to horse, horse to horse, and horse to human. Read more about signs of Hendra virus in horses. For signs of Hendra virus in people, see the
Queensland Health website. The first reported case of a dog testing positive for the Hendra virus outside of laboratory conditions was announced on 27 July 2011. It is recommended that people keep companion animals, such as
dogs and cats, away from sick horses to reduce the risk of an infection as well as taking other
steps to reduce the risk of becoming infected with Hendra virus. Steps can also be taken to reduce the risk of
horses becoming infected with Hendra virus, including biosecurity measures.

For more information see the AUSVETPLAN response policy brief for Hendra virus infection.

A Hendra virus vaccine ‘Equivac HeV’ is available through veterinary practices in Australia.For more information about the vaccine visit the Australian Veterinary Association’s webpage or the
NSW Government website.

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture has a role in:

managing market access issues that may arise

analysing and sharing technical information with other government departments (such as the Department of Health)

making sure all states and territories are provided with situation updates by the affected states

international notification through the World Organisation for Animal Health of significant developments.

Infectious bursal disease

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic fowl. The virus can remain infective in the environment for long periods and is resistant to many disinfectants.

Highly virulent strains of IBD virus have emerged in Europe, Asia and the United States over recent years. Low-pathogenicity strains of IBD virus occur in Australian poultry flocks, but there is no evidence of highly virulent strains here.

Illness usually occurs in young birds aged three to six weeks. Infected birds pick at their vents and are reluctant to move.

Other signs are not specific but include depression, not eating, ruffled feathers, trembling, watery (sometimes bloody) diarrhoea, and sudden death, usually within four days of signs appearing.

Highly virulent IBD is a serious threat to production in commercial poultry flocks. Highly virulent strains can cause mortalities of up to 25 per cent in broilers and up to 60 per cent in laying pullets. More information about virulent strains is available in the relevant
AUSVETPLAN manual.

Johne's disease

Johne's disease, otherwise known as paratuberculosis, is a chronic wasting disease of ruminants (e.g. cattle and sheep).

Johne's disease is caused by the bacteria
Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (M. paratuberculosis). Different strains of the bacteria usually affect different animals:

Both strains are endemic in Australia, although the disease is not common.

The disease can have serious economic effects due to production losses if it is not controlled. More information about both diseases is available on the
Animal Health Australia website.

A revised national approach to the management of Johne's disease in cattle was agreed by key stakeholders (including Australian livestock industries, government and the veterinary profession) and implemented in 2016. Details about the approach can be found at the
Animal Health Australia website.

Newcastle disease (ND)

ND is a viral disease of domestic poultry and wild birds, which is characterised by gastrointestinal, respiratory and nervous signs. Human infection with ND virus is extremely rare and usually occurs only in people who have close direct contact with infected birds – for example, poultry processing workers, veterinarians or laboratory staff. The virus causes only mild, short-term conjunctivitis or influenza-like symptoms in humans.

Rabies

Rabies is a fatal viral disease of warm-blooded animals, including humans. It is usually spread by the bite of an infected animal such as a dog, cat, bat or fox. Rabies is present in many countries in the world, except Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Japan and a number of small islands. Many of these are island nations with strict controls on the entry of animals. Both of these factors have helped prevent entry of the disease. More information about rabies is available on the
Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy section of this website as rabies is a
target disease under this strategy.

Screw-worm fly

Screw-worm fly is an insect parasite of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Related to the blowflies that cause fly-strike in Australian sheep, it prefers hot, humid climates and cannot survive in frost-prone areas.

There are two species of screw-worm fly: ‘Old World’ (Chrysomyabezziana) and ‘New World’ (Cochliomyia hominivorax). More information about screw worm fly is available in the relevant
AUSVETPLAN manual Screw-worm flies could cost close to $500 million a year in lost production and control measures if they entered Australia. They would have a devastating effect on northern livestock production, particularly cattle and sheep industries.

In some herds, 10 to 15 percent of cattle could be struck at any time; the greatest loss would be through the deaths of newborn calves as a result of navel strike.

The potential spread of this pest from Papua New Guinea is one of the major biosecurity threats to northern Australia. Eradication would depend on the release of millions of sterile male screw-worm flies to reduce breeding numbers. This could take up to five years, with health implications for remote northern communities.

The Department of Agriculture has a monitoring program in the Torres Strait, on Cape York Peninsula and in other strategic locations to ensure early detection of a screw-worm fly incursion. The program includes lure traps for adult screw-worm flies around airports, seaports and other high-risk areas, and inspection of livestock for fly strike. Animal health personnel also inspect returning livestock vessels, and sentinel cattle herds are used to monitor for maggots.

Surra

Surra is a chronic wasting disease caused by a species of trypanosomes. The disease, which is spread by biting flies, is most severe in horses, donkeys, mules, deer, camels, llamas, dogs and cats, but also occurs in cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, pigs and elephants. More information about surra is available in the relevant
AUSVETPLAN manual.

Surra would be difficult or impossible to eradicate if it were to become established in Australia because it could persist in feral animals such as horses, donkeys, deer, camels, buffaloes, goats and pigs. Control of the disease in livestock could cost cattle, sheep and horse industries millions of dollars.

Scientific studies have demonstrated that kangaroos, agile wallabies and pademelons are highly susceptible to infection with surra, which in experimental conditions causes acute clinical signs with high mortality. These findings suggest that surra could also have a significant effect on some native Australian marsupials.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.